Child Abuse and Neglect : Family Assessment

by Child Welfare Information Gateway

(Page 2 of 10)

Routine screening for domestic violence should occur at every phase of the child protection process. If a child abuse report is accepted for investigation but does not contain allegations of domestic violence, CPS caseworkers should continue to screen for its presence throughout the life of the case.

Preparing for Family Assessment

If the agency accepts a report containing domestic violence allegations, several steps (outlined below) should be completed before interviewing the family. Issues of confidentiality pertaining to the gathering and sharing of this information are addressed in the section "Documenting Domestic Violence in Child Protection Case Records" later in this chapter.

Step One: Information Collection

• Conduct a criminal records check for domestic violence-related charges or convictions, civil protection or restraining orders, or probation violations.
• Review the agency's case file for prior allegations or a history of domestic violence.
• Contact the local police department to inquire about domestic violence-related service calls (911) made from the home.

Collecting this information can inform CPS caseworkers about the alleged perpetrator's level of dangerousness and the precautions to consider in preparation for their interviews with individual family members. For example, a caseworker might complete a criminal records check and discover that the alleged perpetrator has three prior convictions of domestic assault, one of which involved a gun. An individual with a history of previous assaults and use of weapons should be considered a high risk for committing further violence. Thus, the CPS caseworker should choose a safe location with security nearby for interviewing the alleged perpetrator. In addition, supplemental information that supports allegations of domestic violence will help CPS caseworkers facilitate a discussion with the parties involved, some or all of whom may be afraid to disclose the abuse.

Step Two: Initial Contact with the Family

Inquiry into private family matters often is viewed by the abuser as a threat to his or her control over the family. It should be noted, however, that many nonabusive families will respond negatively to such inquiries as well. Promoting safety for all parties is the primary goal when intervening in cases where there are allegations of domestic violence. Thus, it is critical that CPS caseworkers ensure that their involvement does not compromise their own safety or the safety of anyone in the family.

To safeguard domestic violence information from the alleged abuser, CPS caseworkers should not leave domestic violence resource information, letters, or voice-mail messages asking to speak with the alleged victim about the abuse. Such information can jeopardize not only the alleged victim's safety, but also the nature of the caseworker's interview with family members who may be threatened or forced to deny the allegations. Caseworkers need to make direct contact with the alleged victim to avoid any attempts by the alleged abuser to sabotage their efforts. If caseworkers are not able to make initial contact with the alleged victim, they should find alternative, creative means of contact (e.g., at the alleged victim's place of work or through the children's school).

Ideally, separate interviews should be conducted with the children, alleged victim, and alleged perpetrator of domestic violence. Because these cases involve child maltreatment, CPS caseworkers should follow agency protocol and interview the individuals in that order unless it compromises someone's safety. Separate interviews allow adults and children to talk safely about the violence. There will be times when caseworkers arrive at the home and find both partners present. In these instances, caseworkers should collect general family information and refrain from direct inquiry about the domestic violence. CPS caseworkers can use their authority to request separate, follow-up interviews and inform family members that it is a routine agency procedure.

Step Three: Collaborate with Service Providers

CPS caseworkers are expected to assess a number of risk factors in addition to domestic violence. Families involved with the CPS system often have multiple needs requiring complex interventions. Caseworkers are not expected to have specialized knowledge on every social problem affecting their clients. Therefore, in cases involving domestic violence, caseworkers are strongly encouraged to seek the expertise of service providers who can provide consultation regarding assessment and intervention techniques and assistance with accessing relevant services. At times, CPS caseworkers simply need support when they are working with the multiple needs of alleged perpetrators, victims, and children. Enlisting the help of service providers (as well as other substance abuse and mental health service providers, when appropriate) can make these challenging cases more manageable.

Domestic Violence Risk Assessment

The purpose of performing a risk assessment for domestic violence with a family entering the CPS system is to gather critical information regarding:

• The nature and extent of the domestic violence;
• The impact of the domestic violence on adult and child victims;
• The risk to and protective factors of the alleged victim and children;
• The help-seeking and survival strategies of the alleged victim;
• The alleged perpetrator's level of dangerousness;
• The safety and service needs of the family members;
• The availability of practical community resources and services.

A thorough assessment of the above factors will help CPS caseworkers develop a comprehensive understanding of the domestic violence and the level of harm it poses. Most importantly, it will help caseworkers build case plan recommendations that reflect the safety and service needs of the family. Since competent CPS practice involves ongoing assessment of individual family members, risk assessments should be included during every phase of the child protection process.

The safety of adult and child victims can vary depending on the shifting dynamics of abuse. Thus, CPS caseworkers may need to revise service recommendations as the safety levels and needs of the victim and children change. For example, if a victim's case plan includes a recommendation for a protective order, but this strategy actually escalates the abusive behaviors, the caseworker will need to modify the case plan and recommend a safer alternative. It is critical that ongoing risk assessment occur in cooperation with the abused partner, victim advocates, and other community service providers.

About the Author

www.childwelfare.gov
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.